Stealing Spree

Chapter 2759: Tagging along

The platform was packed with weekend shoppers and families heading to the mall, but Watanabe cut through the crowd like she owned it, shoulders squared, chin up, marching with that purposeful stride that made it feel like she got it all together. But for all I know, she’s still flustered from all that happened.

In any case, I kept pace easily. I put my hands in my pockets and let the distance stretch just enough that she could pretend I wasn’t there.

However, she lasted exactly thirty seconds before glancing over her shoulder. With narrowed eyes, she scowled, “You’re slow, Onoda-kun. Aren’t you going to catch up? Or are you too busy admiring the view from behind?”

Her words tumbled out sharp and snappy but the way her cheeks were still tinged pink and her eyes flicked away the second they met mine told me everything. She was trying to reclaim the high ground after that train ride had thoroughly rattled her.

Should I apologize now? I shouldn’t have done that, after all.

However, I couldn’t help the lazy smirk that tugged at my lips as I closed the distance in two easy strides, falling into step beside her.

“Well, the view is nice,” I teasingly said. “But I figured you needed a minute to cool down. You looked like you were about to combust back there. See how considerate I am?”

Watanabe made this strangled little sound and elbowed me in the ribs. It was a weak hit, more reflex than anything, and she immediately regretted it when she felt how hard it was.

“Ugh. Don’t flatter yourself, Onoda-kun,” She hissed as she sucked up her breath to not moan from pain. After that, she sped up like that would somehow put real distance between us after she just told me to catch up. “I was just... conserving energy. For shopping. With friends. Normal weekend stuff.”

“Mhm. Totally normal,” I echoed, matching her pace without breaking a sweat. “Nothing’s wrong at all except that your ears are more honest than you.”

She slapped a hand over one ear like she could hide the evidence, then dropped it just as fast when she realized how guilty that looked.

“Shut up. Stop having fun teasing me.”

“Well, you’re making it too easy, Watanabe.” I shrugged.

After entering the mall, her feet continued towards the escalator.

Naturally, I still kept up. She stood one step above me, arms crossed tight like a shield.

The height difference puts us almost at eye-level. That caused her to glare at me, like she was trying to burn a hole through my forehead.

“How can they deal with you when you’re this much of a tease?”

“I don’t know. They get used to it. At this point, they’re already the ones teasing me.”

That’s just how it is with my girls. Somehow, the more time we spend together, the greater their resistance to my teasing. Although most of them would still fall for it, they wouldn’t go down without a fight anymore.

Watanabe rolled her eyes again, but this time, she looked so done. Maybe she’s already regretting calling out to me back there. Who knows?

Soon, the escalator reached the second floor. She stepped off with that same purposeful stride, weaving through the slightly dense crowd like she wanted to lose me.

But considering how spacious this mall was, there was just no way for her to escape my sight. And someone who had a hefty experience in tailing someone, I broke no sweat keeping up with her pace.

“So, where are we meeting Kaede and the others?”

“We?” She stopped dead in her tracks, spinning to face me with narrowed eyes. “There is no ‘we’. You’re just... coincidentally going the same direction.”

“How long will you deny that? Will you say the same when we reach them? Anyway, I’m curious about who your friends are. I bet they’ll be surprised to see me coming with you. After all, you didn’t even give them a heads up.”

“And whose fault do you think that is?” She scowled again and then hopped lightly to throw a jab at my shoulder. That gesture was quite adorable, especially coming from her. But then again, this girl was the type of girl who always had an excess of energy. It’s only because I got her so read that she could be this flustered.

I bet Masato-senpai was finding it hard to put a leash on her. Too bad though, she chose to get involved with me. There wouldn’t be a normal day whenever she interacts with me.

“Alright, I’ll take the blame. Tell them I followed you here. Anyway, I’m not as sociable as you think I am.”

As if I didn’t know that. You’re only ever going to get worked up when it concerns those you care about. And yet... you’re too considerate that most girls find you approachable despite the aloof air around you.”

Watanabe finished that with a huff, crossing her arms again like she’d just dropped the ultimate truth bomb and was waiting for me to crumble under it.

I couldn’t help the low chuckle that slipped out. “Well, I’m just glad that they’re not stopping every time. It pays to know how to put on a facade in public. Of course, I’m quite impartial to girls. If they ask me for help, who am I to refuse?”

“That’s why you’re such a womanizer. Ugh. I’m still trying to figure out how you can keep all of this up.”

“What’s there to figure out? I love them and they love me. Simple as that.”

“Where in the common sense do you think that is acceptable?”

“Ours.” Ending that with a smirk, I caught up to her, then raised my hand and waved.

Because not far from us, in the same cozy cafe that Juri and I used as a rendezvous spot, three girls could be seen sitting on a larger table and Kaede, whose attention was focused outside, already spotted us.

She first tilted her head as if trying to figure out why I was with Watanabe but then, a small smile and subtle hint of delight lit up on her seemingly emotionless face.

Looking at her wearing something different from our school uniform – a simple white blouse tucked into high-waisted jeans that hugged her athletic legs just right, paired with a light cardigan that softened her usually sharp silhouette – Kaede looked rather refreshed. Relaxed, even.

It’s like the weight she carried during the time she didn’t know what to do anymore because of her seniors at the track club had been lifted.

It was even more surprising that she’s out here. I get that Watanabe is her friend. The one who helped her connect with me but those two, they’re just ordinary classmates.

When I befriended her back then, she told me she was avoiding her clubmates and classmates. I guess this means she’s already opening up to others again. Or perhaps, this is just her repaying Watanabe’s kindness.

Anyhow, the girl waved back subtly. The small gesture lit up her otherwise stoic face. The other two girls at the table turned to follow her gaze, curiosity sparking in their eyes when they spotted Watanabe and me approaching together.

Of course, I also recognized them. One of them is their class president, Hayakawa-san, with whom I had the pleasure of working during the camping trip. As for the other girl... well, I just knew her by face.

Still, I put on my usual smile and waved at them as well.

Noticing that, Watanabe stiffened slightly before turning her head to look at me with a glare that could melt steel.

“You’re really doing this, huh?” She muttered under her breath, voice laced with equal parts exasperation and reluctant amusement. “You’re just going to waltz in there like you were invited.”

“Mhm. Consider it a surprise inspection,” I said as I nudged her forward with a gentle push on her back. “Besides, Kaede already saw us. Running now would be more suspicious than just rolling with it.”

Watanabe clicked her tongue but didn’t argue further. She straightened her posture, flipped her hair like she was armoring up, and marched toward the cafe.

The other two girls watched our approach with open curiosity.

Hayakawa-san, the class president with her shoulder-length hair tied lower and sharp eyes behind circular glasses, tilted her head slightly. The third girl, with her long, wavy hair and a seemingly floaty expression, perked up slightly.

Right. I recalled that she’s their resident swimming club member who once hounded me to join her in their club. And she’s probably not done asking me for it yet.

As we stepped into the cozy cafe, the familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee and the refreshing ambiance hit me like a warm hug. The place wasn’t packed, but there were enough customers to create a comfortable buzz of conversation that drowned out any awkward silence.

Watanabe went ahead to their table while gesturing back to me, “Hey... I ran into this guy. I can’t shake him off.”

That made the two girls giggle while Kaede looked at me with a questioning gaze, waiting for me to confirm it.

I gave her a subtle nod before saying, “She’s right. She can’t shake me off. I told her I’m gonna say hi and bolt away. Is that acceptable?”